Urologic Dysfunction After Menopause Overview

Urologic conditions that can occur around the time a woman goes through menopause include bladder control problems, bladder prolapse (descent of the bladder into the vagina due to weakening of the pelvic tissues), and urinary tract infections. The level of estrogen in a woman's body decreases during menopause. The role this hormone plays in urologic dysfunction continues to be studied. While some researchers have found that estrogen loss may influence a woman's urologic function, the evidence is in no way conclusive, and other factors, such as the effects of childbirth on the body, have not been discounted.

The good news for women is that a variety of treatments exist for all of these conditions, and women with urologic dysfunction can find relief and improved quality of life by seeking qualified medical care.